1. To understand the meaning; especially, of other people's actions and statements, in a particular way: "Any change in our plan for the budjet would be construed as indecision."
2. To interpret or to understand the meaning of a word, a gesture, or an action in a particular way: "The silence of the witness in a legal trial could be construed as an admission of guilt."
3. If something is construed in a particular way, its nature or meaning is interpreted in that way.
4. Etymology: from Middle English construen; from Latin construere, "to put together, to build up"; from con-, "together" + struere, "to pile up, to arrange".